Crash leaves 1 injured after unlicensed driver fails to yield

ST. GEORGE — A collision on Bluff street sends one woman to the hospital after a driver fails to yield while making a left hand turn Saturday afternoon.

At approximately 4:15 p.m. officers were dispatched to a reported collision between a vehicle and a pickup truck at the intersection of 100 South and Bluff Street, St. George Police Officer Dave McDaniel said.

St. George Fire Department respond to scene of two-vehicle collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Upon arriving on scene, emergency responders found a white Dodge pickup truck and a Toyota Prius in the middle of the intersection, McDaniel said, severely damaged from the impact.

Gold Cross Ambulance transported the driver of the Toyota to Dixie Regional Medical Center. She was reported in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation found the man driving the pickup was traveling south on Bluff Street when he entered the inside lane to make a left hand turn onto 100 South.

Both vehicles loaded on tow trucks after collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Instead of waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass through the intersection, officers determined the driver had attempted to make the turn quickly to avoid the Toyota traveling north.

“The pickup truck driver thought he could beat the Toyota,” McDaniel said, “and pulled out in front of her trying to make it but instead, the two vehicles collided.”

The vehicles were rendered inoperable from the collision.

Both lanes were blocked right after the crash and traffic was later redirected to 100 South.

The drivers were both wearing seat belts at the time of the collision.

While questioning the pickup driver, officers discovered he did not have a valid driver’s license, McDaniel said, nor did they find any record he had ever obtained one.

McDaniel said the driver received two citations for failing to yield on a left hand turn and for never obtaining a driver’s license. Additionally, the owner of the truck who arrived at the scene shortly after the collision was also cited for allowing someone to drive his vehicle without a license.

McDaniel explained, obtaining a license requires testing, both a written and a driving test that provides the driver with basic knowledge of road rules, right of way, and other information that could have prevented the collision Saturday.

The officer cautioned drivers to wait for traffic to clear before making a left hand turn.

“If you’re making a left hand turn,” the officer said, “wait until the intersection is clear before making the turn unless you have a green arrow that gives you the right of way.”

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Both vehicles loaded on tow trucks after a collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Officers assisting with traffic control after driver fails to yield causing a two-vehicle collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Cones set to redirect traffic aftera two-vehicle collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

St. George Fire Department respond to scene of a two-vehicle collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

White Toyota Prius and White Chevrolet pickup truck after a collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Tow trucks arrive to remove Toyota Prius and Chevrolet pickup truck after a collision on Bluff Street and 100 South, St. George, Utah, July 16, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

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About the Author

Cody Blowers was raised in South San Francisco, California. A 2013 graduate of Colorado Technical University, Cody earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in paralegal studies. Through the course of her academic studies she discovered that writing is her true passion, and she is committed to providing credible, integrated news coverage. Cody joined St. George News in 2015, and when she’s not busy chasing the news, she can generally be found chasing her young granddaughter, Kali.